Sept. 29, 2009

Tulane Football Press Luncheon

Bob Toledo:
OPENING REMARKS:

Let me start by saying obviously we needed a win badly and I'm sure glad we got it. The players are extremely excited about the victory. The theme for the game basically was we were going to be physical and we had to execute on all sides of the ball. One of the things we wanted to do was to pound the rock (ball) until it cracked. And I think we pounded the rock hard enough where eventually it cracked.

Offensively we ran the ball extremely well. We were very physical running the football. We made some big plays in the running game and in the passing game.

Defensively, we played with a lot of effort, but I was disappointed in the way we tackled. We need to continue to get better at tackling. We just have to continue to work and get better and improve on the things we did poorly and see if we can continue to improve. But no question, it was great to win a football game. As I mentioned, it was like getting the monkey off of our back. It's behind us now. We don't have to worry about any streak anymore.

As far as this week, we play Army. They are 2-2. It's our first road trip and we have a lot of young guys so it will be the first time they're traveling as well. The last few years that I've been here they've beaten us. They have a new coach Rich Ellerson. We go back a long way. He was the head coach at Cal-Poly San Luis-Obispo for the last several years, but we faced each other numerous times. When I was at Pacific I think he was at Cal-State Fullerton, when I was at Oregon...he was at Arizona...when I was at A&M...he was at Arizona. He's the one that came up with the desert swarm. He brought it from the Canadian Football League. Basically it's a very unique defense and very difficult to face. We don't face this offense or defense at any time during the course of the year.

Defensively, as I said, it's his old desert swarm. It's a double eagle flex defense. It's an eight-man front. They put a lot of pressure on you. It's difficult to run the football. I've never had a whole lot of success - nobody else has either. It's very difficult.

Offensively, they run the spread. Option-attack is like a wishbone with some run-and-shoot principles in it. Again, it's something we don't see. They cut block; they roll you up. It's very difficult. They're going to run the football at you, and eat up the clock. They have the ball for about 36 minutes a game and you get it about 24 minutes a game. They have about 70 snaps and you get it about 60 snaps. So you really have to take advantage of your opportunities.

Obviously, we're looking forward to the challenge. I'm looking forward to going on the road and going back to West Point, it's a beautiful place with great atmosphere and a great tradition. I have the utmost respect for the Academy. My son-in-law went to the Air Force Academy so I know what they have to go through. It's difficult being a football player there. So, they do a great job.

Jeremy Williams was the Louisiana Offensive Player of the Week. And he and Andre (Anderson) each got a ESPN helmet stickers, which was nice to get some publicity. And both of them received the national receiver & running back awards. Joe Kemp, right now, is ranked 16th in the nation in passing efficiency. So he's performing well and learns every week.

As far as injuries, as I mentioned after the game, Casey Blum tore his ACL in pre game warm-up on a pass-rush move. I felt bad because his parents came all the way from California to watch him play and blew it out. He will get surgery here in the next week or so as soon as it calms down. He is out for the season. Cody Ledford, a couple weeks ago tore his MCL. He'll be out and I don't know if he'll be able to return. If not, then we'll probably end up red shirting him - he played two games. David Kirksey hurt himself in the first half. He had a lower abdominal strain. And we ended up playing with Austen Jacks, true freshman, at middle linebacker the whole second half. But he's questionable...hopefully he'll be alright. He's getting treatment. And then Kasey Stelly still has a shoulder problem - a stinger. It appears that he's very doubtful for this football game.

QUESTIONS:
On if he feels that Army ruined Tulane's season last year:
Well, they sure contributed to it. We were 2-2 at the time and it was homecoming and it was an embarrassing effort on our part. We threw three interceptions, we had a punt-blocked, we fumbled the ball and they ran it back for about 90 yards for a touchdown. It was a poor performance on our part. Their fullback broke a national record rushing that day. Yeah, I don't know if they ruined the season, but they sure did ruin homecoming. It was unbelievable...the venue, the game...everything was just a disaster and again, it didn't affect them. They came out and performed, but it did affect us. It was like having a road game - there was no home field advantage. Let's put it that way.

On how the victory vs. McNeese has helped Tulane:
I think the one thing is by winning the football game there was a little pep in our step. We came out and practiced with a purpose...we were excited. They were working hard and were anxious to learn the new game plan offensively, defensively and special teams wise. The attitude was really good. They ran hard, they worked hard...they are rejuvenated, so to speak.

On preparing for Army:
I took a calculated risk actually...I spent two days during our bye-week just preparing for them. So because it's such a unique offense and defense and I think it has already paid dividends because we went out there yesterday and we were able to simulate their offense and defense. And that's one of the things I wanted to do. I wanted to get our scout teams ready to run their system without having to teach them a new thing as well. So it worked out well because we got a good look from the scouts and we already had a little bit of a game plan implemented. So it was an opportunity to go out there and get some work done on a Monday.

On Army's quarterbacks:
They're going to run their system. Their system is an option-attack and they'll roll out and throw the ball. One guy might run a little better and one guy might pass a little better but it's the system that they run and whoever is the quarterback they're going to run that system.

On only throwing the ball to Jeremy Williams during the McNeese game:
I've been coaching 40 years and I have never only thrown the ball to one guy. Of course, I don't remember many guys catching ten passes for two hundred something yards either and he probably should've had two more touchdowns. He was phenomenal. Jeremy Williams was phenomenal. But I've never, ever in my coaching career ever experienced that.

On how Jeremy Williams factored into the McNeese game plan:
The McNeese game plan was to get the ball to Jeremy. I spoke with the coaches and we said I want him to get 20 touches in this game. Now, we didn't get as many touches because we made big plays and scored from way out. So we didn't get as many snaps...what'd we have 52 snaps...which is not very many. But I wanted him to get 20 catches or runs - the combination. We put him in the backfield and he ran the ball and had 2 plays called back that were pretty good runs too. But we need to get him the football - he's a playmaker. So we have to find ways to get him the ball in his hands. So yes, we did plan that.

On if Jeremy Williams has NFL skills:
No question. He has good size. He has excellent speed. He has great quickness and super hands. He has to improve on his blocking. He can run after a catch. He can be on special teams. As a matter of fact we might start using him on some kickoff returns and things - he's that good.

On the challenge Tulane's offensive line has against Army's defense:
It really is a challenge. First off, I think they have better personnel. And you know, they don't quit. They stay after you - it's unbelievable. I'm watching the film and they're behind late, late in the game and they're going a hundred miles an hour. So I have a great respect for their fortitude. They are special people. And we have to be able to move the ball...we have to be able to run the ball and they play a lot of eight-man front, like I said...it's like a Chicago Bear defense almost; double eagle and they play a lot of man coverage, so we have to be able to protect a lot of single blocks...you don't get a lot of double teams - Same thing in the running game because of the front.